Macbeth - Responsibility

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a prediction which symbolises the beginning of Macbeth's downfall.
FIRST WITCH: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Glamis
SECOND WITCH: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor.
THIRD WITCH: All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter.

Macbeth is startled when he hears this prophecy. He believes that his title is still Thane of Glamis; yet here he has just been told that he shall be King. He does not know Macdonwald who has been sentenced to death for betraying his country. The witches plant the idea of being King into Macbeth's mind, which has encourages Macbeth to consider his future.
In his soliloquy, the audience learn about Macbeth's initial plan to murder Duncan so that he shall have power and position earlier, thus destroying the natural order.

'My thought, whose murther is yet but fantastical.'

Macbeth sent a letter to Lady Macbeth outlining the witches' prophecy. He also consults her concerning his plans. This is how Macbeth reduces some of the ...

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as security.

'All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter.'

During this intense time, Macbeth is hesitant and his weakness is shown in the way he seeks to put off the murder. He had doubts. Macbeth came under constant pressure from Lady Macbeth.

'Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?'

This shows that Macbeth is not purely evil and that he has a conscience. This could make it easier for Macbeth by reducing some of the blame that could be placed on him for the evil deeds, when we have seen that Macbeth did not commit this crime acting under his own intentions; but rather Lady Macbeth's.

What follows illustrates Macbeth feeling guilty. He cannot sleep, he feels that he ...

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